Impact Investing is investments in companies and organisations which seek to produce a positive  social and environmental impact as well as generating a financial return. There are many types of impact investing funds which influence many different sectors in both developed and emerging markets. 

There are factors that are applied to impact investing funds. Primarily these incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. For private banking many portfolios have started to involve these factors into their investment plans.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge are amongst private banks to involve impact investing funds in their portfolios. In May Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge unveiled five new CIO Core Impact Portfolio’s designed by the Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM) Chief Investment Office and was made available to investors for a minimum of $5,000.

It has also been revealed by British banking group Barclays that millennials in the UK are four times more likely to make impact investment funds in sustainable portfolios compared to older peers. Of the 2,000 investors polled in the UK, 43% below the age of 40 were found to have made an impact investment during their lifetime.

Impact investing is a small but vibrant segment of the broader sustainable and responsible investing universe and in all the markets studied by the GSIA, which defines impact investing as targeted investments aimed at solving social and environmental problems.

An example of impact investing funds is community investing – this is where capital is directed to traditionally undeserved individuals or communities and even finance that is provided to businesses with an explicit social or environmental purpose.

Investors who are involved with community investing may sometimes not expect a return just as long as their investments are making a positive social impact and some investors may see community investing as an opportunity for financial returns.

Another factor banks may consider when looking at impact investing funds is catalytic investing, as well as responsible investing and sustainable investing, (which considers themes such as climate change and population ageing).

There is no doubt that impact investing funds are on the rise, especially amongst the next generation of clients who in turn will influence their parents. Banks and wealth managers will need to cater their portfolios to involve impact investing funds in order to fully exploit the growth potential of this market.